Posted on 08/17/2002 5:06:31 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
As the summer comes to a close, and fall creeps in, millions of children and teens will be trudging off to the local institutions of learning in the early morning hours. The greatest number of these institutions are the so-called "public schools."
However, there is another form of education that has begun to do extraordinary things. Homeschooling has already outperformed every other form of education in America – and not just in test scores.
In 1985, a Gallup Poll surveyed America on their opinion of homeschooling. The results might startle a few today, because 75 percent of Americans thought homeschooling was a bad idea. Public opinion – at that time – believed that the notion of parents alone teaching their children at home was a foreign idea and questions were raised about whether it would or could be successful.
However, when homeschoolers had a chance to perform and show the world what results could be accomplished, public opinion changed drastically. Less than 20 years later, another Gallup Poll was taken on homeschooling and America changed its opinion to 75 percent believing homeschooling is a good idea.
The simple answer to why public opinion has radically changed on home education is the fact that homeschoolers outperform their peers in government schools and other forms of education.
First, on average, homeschooled students score in the range of 75 to 85 on most tests – while their peers in government education score in the range 50 to 60 on the same tests.
Second, home-educated students score above average on the SAT and ACT tests. Additionally, many colleges and universities are now more likely to be interested in homeschooled students because of their above-average results.
Third, homeschoolers have been ruling the academic "bees" for some time now. Year after year, homeschoolers have been in the top placements for the Geography Bee, Spelling Bee and the USA Math Olympiad.
Even after the successes of homeschooling, the National Education Association still continues to raise the issue of socialization. You would think, by now, we would be past this fundamental issue. Yet, homeschooling is not just about results, test scores and the future business success of a student, but the time spent the way it should be – with families living their daytime hours together.
Government-run public schools have had their chance. For over 100 years, schools have been run publicly by the government and – from the beginning – it has been going downhill alongside the intelligence of America.
In addition, you can see severe lower standards in government schools these days. When students have a 3.6 Grade Point Average and score below 20 on the ACT and have to take remedial classes in college, you know we have a problem with standards in schools.
However, test scores and results on the ACT and SAT are not the worst problem facing government schools. But, rather, it is the intentional indoctrination that is taking place in many schools, under the banner of "hate-crime prevention," "tolerance," and "multiculturalism."
Yet, while some school districts are accomplishing good results, most are not. Education expert and nationally known author Thomas Sowell said, "If every parent in America knew what was really going on in public schools, there would be a revolution."
He was right. American parents are becoming aware of what is happening in our schools and reform has just now begun to take shape.
What's this reform I speak of, you ask? It's the reform that is taking place by responsible American parents taking their children out of government schools. The only element that has a chance of saving public education is competition between private education and public education.
Therefore, I call upon parents to take their children out of public schools, ensure their ability to perform in the business world as an adult, and choose the greatest form of education: parents teaching their children at home.
The thought of a little NEA-inspired intrigue does have its charm, though.
It's wrong to make parents who home school, pay taxes for public education that they don't agree with.
I grew up in the country so I guess I'm one of those rubes a previous poster referred to but once I got to the city and found a job, I had no problems assimilating. In fact, my boss later gave me the best recommendation I've ever heard: "She treats the janitor the same as the General." (It was a defense plant.) It seems as though I didn't have a problem relating to whatever group of people I found in my vicinity.
You go, gurrrrl!!!!
It drives me crazy when my son?s peers don?t want to go outside and play in the snow ?because it?s cold and I might get hurt? and who cry when there?s splashing in the pool. I?ve seen this over and over and it?s always a relief when I find a like-minded mom who?s raising her son in a more natural manner.
IF you read closely, you will discover a certain anti-homeschooler's wife “had maybe 5 actually useful education courses”. And a pack of un-useful ones, too, I'll wager.
I got the same thing from my school teacher cousin when we started homeschooling. However, my college professor uncle (E.D.) was completely supportive.
This "socialization" garbage is just that: John Dewey's regurgitated nonsense for people without any real arguments against homeschooling. Dewey argued that SOCIALIZATION was the PRIMARY goal of the educational process.
Said Dewey: "Apart from participation in social life, the school has no moral end nor aim." From "Moral Principles in Education"
Anyone ever see THAT quote above the school room door? Thought not.
The study below showed that homeschoolers were better off than publick skule kids in the areas of communication, daily living, SOCIALIZATION, and maturity.
Thomas C. Smedley's master's degree research
Studies by Johnson, Shyers, Taylor, Delahooke, Knowles show that "socialization" isn't a problem for homeschoolers.
If any children suffer from a lack of being with diferent "kinds", it's the publick skule K-12 kids who end up only being able to relate to a narrow sub-group of their peers.
My 17 year-old-daughter will be a sophomore in college this coming semester despite the fact that had she attended the publick skules, she would be a senior in high school this year. So far, we haven't had any notes from her profs telling us she is horribly backwards or has a hard time getting along with anyone. Of course, we didn't do "keggers" or angel dust in our fussy, introverted little homeschool, so she's obviously socially incapacitated. It will eventually show up. Maybe when she goes to architectural school.
LOL! Poor child. She's missed so much!
My sixteen year old is going to take his first college course next month. I'm very excited, but he is pretty nonchalant about it. Those homeschooled kids--they get so scared when they have to go out into the "real world".
As far as social education, he's been in many activities. Right now we are in the local Football League. All the other boys are in public schools, but I've had several questions about homeschooling already. My son is entering seventh grade now but his highest score in the state mandated tests is in language/vocabulary etc he tested 13th year and about 5th month. He is no raving brain child nerd. He is a NORMAL American 12 year old not exposed to liberalism. It's NOT as hard as people think.
Nam Vet
"Like, how to talk to the tattooed redneck down at the hardware store? Or the tough-talking guy on the garbage truck? Like, how to talk to the tattooed redneck down at the hardware store? Or the tough-talking guy on the garbage truck?"
You talk to him in a CIVIL manner, just as the civilized people of our past times did. If they have a problem with that, ya KNOCK 'EM ON THEIR ASS! Oh, by the way, my kids also took about 4 years of Kung Fu as an extra experience to 'socialize with others of their age group. Heh Heh
Nam Vet
I once had some business at a local "refuse hauling" outfit. The odor at the facility was quite strong, and I asked one of the garbage truck drivers quite matter-of-factly how long it took to get used to that smell.(I wasn't being a smart-aleck like I often am here and he took no offense; I was sincerely curious.) He answered that, to him, it smelled like money. I later learned that the average driver at that company was pulling down 60 grand a year!
Nam Vet
They really don't want to do that. It wouldn't be wise.
Beauty (or odor, in this case) is indeed in the eye (nose) of the beholder, lol!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.